Purpose: The purpose of the Mike Smith Kiwanis Scholarship is to provide financial assistance for post secondary education to senior High School students of San Lorenzo Valley High School, and Scotts Valley High School, ( and affiliated Home School programs) who demonstrate quality leadership, community service and civic values, both on their high school campus and out in their respective communities of residence. High academic achievement is not necessarily a requirement. The scholarship will recognize and provide aid for those students that are interested in attending a college, community college or a trade/vocational program. If there is a special needs or hardship situation of the applicant that will be taken into consideration. The student should promote the values and reputation of the Kiwanis Club.
The scholarship is intended to benefit one graduating senior, who, on the basis of civic achievement and community involvement will best represent the Northern Valleys of Santa Cruz County and the ideals of Kiwanis. In some instances, two students may share the award.
Finances: The value of the Scholarship shall not exceed $2500 without a change to this document.
The Kiwanis Club may, at its sole discretion, change the value of the scholarship, withhold the scholarship from time to time and increase or decrease the endowment.
Application: Students may apply for the Mike Smith Kiwanis Scholarship by writing a letter to:
Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley
P.O. Box 66257
Scotts Valley, CA 95067
ATTN: Scholarship Committee
2017 Application Requirements: Applicants must be citizens of the United States and seniors in a High School program certified for a California High School Diploma.
Applicants should submit a letter, which must be presented in 10, 11 or 12-point type on plain white paper. It should not exceed 1000 words in length. They must attach a transcript of record from their High School and list the classes that they are taking for which grades have not been recorded
The letter must be posted in order to arrive prior to 6:00PM on March 30, 2018. Late deliveries will not be considered.
The letter should be considered to be a public document and will not be returned, although only the winning applicant’s letter will be publicized.
In the letter the successful applicant will clearly and succinctly describe themselves, their past academic accomplishments and their goals for the future. In describing past accomplishments, the applicants should discuss their academic achievements, most interesting classes, and the subjects in which they excelled. They should also discuss community service activities, including service clubs and projects in each year of school. If they actively worked with a disadvantaged person or population they should describe this fully, including why this was a societal benefit.
To fully describe themselves, applicants should discuss their non-academic activities such as sports, drama, student politics, etc., specifically in terms of what, when and how they interacted in these activities. They should also include activities totally unrelated to school, such as scouting, hobbies, travel and religious activities. They should describe any leadership roles they played, particularly ones
that exemplified a high degree of ethical behavior on their part. If they held a paying job, they should describe it.
In terms of goals for the future, applicants should discuss both their immediate future such as schools to which they have applied (and perhaps been accepted), major programs in which they plan to study and how they see their life unfolding before them.
The applicant may also attach one letter of recommendation from an adult mentor who should be a person in a position to discuss the qualifications of the applicant in terms of the applicants chosen field of study. This letter and the transcript shall be kept private to the scholarship committee and will not be reproduced.
Applicants may be called to a face to face interview with the Application Review Subcommittee. Such interviews will take place at a mutually agreeable time.
The Subcommittee will evaluate each application for its content and for the quality of its presentation and writing skill. The Subcommittee will recommend a scholarship grant to the Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley in a closed meeting of the Club, which will approve, modify or deny the recommendation.